The May 21 election saw the country change prime ministers, but the local electorate of Nichols was a close race all its own.
It could be suggested that the race for Nicholls unofficially started when Damian Drum announced his retirement from politics, sparking an appetite for change in the region.
The Coalition had an agreement that it could both run candidates in the race, putting at least two hats in the ring for the region — Sam Birrell fro the Nationals, and Steve Brooks for the Liberals.
However, the ‘Time For Change’ slogan held by independent candidate, Mooroopna businessman and City of Greater Shepparton deputy mayor Rob Priestly set the course for a tight three-horse election race.
The Coalition called in the proverbial cavalry ahead of the big day, with then Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce making two separate visits to the twin towns, and John Howard robocalling voters in the electorate.
As the month of May went on, it was clear that Nicholls was no longer a safe seat for the Nationals, and election night was sure to be a nail-biting one for the major camps.
And a nail-biter it was.
The Nationals’ heartland in Nicholls delivered for Mr Birrell, who predictably carried nearly all the smaller rural booths while, Mr Priestly struggled in the larger towns outside of Shepparton.
The Priestly camp expected to poll well in the major population centre of Shepparton, but the results across the booths were not uniform.
Speaking before the result of the count was known, although he suspected he did not quite have the votes to get up, Mr Priestly said he was proud of the change he had inspired across the electorate.
“Whatever the outcome of the election, Nicholls is not going to be taken for granted in the near future,” Mr Priestly said.
“I think that's a really good outcome and all of our campaign team and our community can be really proud of that change.”
Mr Birrell came through with the win for the Nationals, and would be heading to Canberra as the Member for Nicholls — now a marginal electorate, for a party room now in opposition government.
Mr Birrell held a 4.7 per cent margin over Mr Priestly — just a fraction of Mr Drum’s margin of 20 per cent.
“I feel tired, relieved and very humble and honoured,” Mr Birrell said the day after the election.
“It was a tough campaign against some really high-quality candidates.
“Rob has been a friend for a long time and will remain so. I only met Steve Brooks at the start of this election campaign and I have a real respect for him.”
For months they had battled each other, but as soon as the voting closed the three top contenders caught up for a beer at Shepparton’s Terminus Hotel.
All three said it was an opportunity to clear the air, especially for Mr Birrell and Mr Priestly who are friends and previously worked closely together through the Committee for Greater Shepparton.
Mr Priestly said he was keen to clear the slate between the pair after the negativity of the campaign.
“I’m disappointed about the negative aspect of the campaigning, I’m not offended in any way,” he said.
“The beer was really important, there will be people in this community that on my behalf feel aggrieved about what has gone on in the campaign and I need people in the community to know that If I’m prepared to build a bridge and get over it, then they should be too.
“If Sam’s going to be our local member then we need to work closely with Sam and give him the best opportunity to work closely with whoever is in government.
“Leaving those bridges burnt doesn’t help anyone.”
Mr Birrell was sworn into the 47th Parliament of Australia on July 26 this year.
Speaking before he was sworn in, he said there was a “buzz” in the building ahead of the opening.
“There’s a lot of pomp and ceremony around it ... it’s an amazing place and an amazing honour,” he said.
“I feel the responsibility of the people who’ve sent me here.”
He said it wasn’t ideal to come into parliament with the Coalition in opposition for the first time in nearly a decade, but said he was still excited to get stuck in.
“Every time the government does something which aversely affects our regions we’ll make sure we hold them to account, and any time they want to work with us we’ll work with them,” he said.